The Bangladesh Progressive Teachers’ Society of Public Universities has protested the temporary suspension of three Dhaka University teachers and the formation of a tribunal against them over allegations of taking a stance against the July movement.
The organization expressed its protest in a statement issued on Tuesday (September 1), signed by its Joint General Secretary, Professor Dr. Purna Islam.
The statement said the organization was deeply concerned, angered and saddened by the temporary suspension of Professor Dr. Md. Mashiur Rahman of the Department of Sociology and Professor Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Litu of the Institute of Education and Research, as well as the formation of a tribunal against them.
According to the teachers’ organization, Dhaka University is not merely an educational institution but one of Bangladesh’s major centers for free thought, academic research, progressive ideas and freedom of expression. It said such serious administrative measures against renowned teachers over alleged violations of university rules raise concerns about the institution’s democratic and academic environment.
The organization also alleged that Professor Dr. M. Ahiduzzaman was denied an opportunity to question witnesses and defend himself before the university’s investigation committee, despite repeatedly submitting written requests for such an opportunity.
It further described the submission of the investigation report to the university’s Syndicate without the signature of the accused teacher’s representative as “unfortunate and contrary to justice.”
The teachers’ organization claimed that Professor Ahiduzzaman had presented information and evidence demonstrating that the allegations against him were false and baseless. It warned that imposing punishment despite this could establish a culture of political retaliation or suppression of dissent.
The statement stressed that teachers in a free and democratic university should be able to pursue knowledge, ask questions, express opinions and criticize wrongdoing. Differences of opinion, it said, should be resolved through reason, dialogue, tolerance and due process—not through administrative power or intimidation.
The Progressive Teachers’ Society urged the Dhaka University administration to ensure, in accordance with university law, that the accused teachers are given an opportunity to defend themselves in the presence of their representatives before any investigation report is finalized.
It also called for the cases to be reviewed through a fair, transparent and impartial process.
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